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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Sweetheart
Verdict: Good acting, awful play
Sweetheart is drama about relationships lasting 75 minutes from a cast of 6 (3F, 3M).
Charlie and Ruby Two Shoes fuck, both are otherwise involved. Toni tolerates Charlie, but she works, he doesn't, they split. Kelly meets Charlie, invites him to Wales, isn't interested in an affair. Steve is Charlie's pub mate; Lee has parted from his lover. A Welsh passer-by admits to hang-gliding. It's a series of linked sketches about Charlie, and relationships. Keywords might include nihilism, idealism v reality, me-centredness. It's a boring piece of writing, with squibs of interest.
The faults of Sweetheart are 90% in the script, which is dull and unrevealing. There are no fresh insights, no dramatic tension, nor is there a sense of dialogue, or of live human beings - it's just writing. There is speech by more than one person, but it doesn't feel like interraction - only two sets of monologue side by side. Charlie is made by the writing to be uninteresting, and stays that way. The play's like a shot bird - flapping, making a pass at getting up, intrinsically dead, and taking a long time to get there.
The actors are, however, a delight, and do their best to give Sweetheart life. It's a difficult task, because the script gives no help - just a string of badly put together words. Lara Apponyi creates a character out of nurse Toni, giving her warmth, credibility and conviction solely by her performance. Suzanne Heathcote makes Kelly come alive, turning the character's clichéd lines into something more interesting by the personality she injects. Inam Mirza plays mate Davey, and excels as the passing Welsh Man - a crisp performance with charisma and a trace of comedy. Lucy Perkins is a delight as Ruby, again in spite of the script - she makes the character happen.
Crispin Shingler has a difficult job as Charlie. The character is on stage and speaking all the time - it needs to be externally directed. Crispin Shingler also directs, and while he is able to assist the other actors in delivering fine performances, his direction of himself doesn't work. As it is, the performance is out of balance with the other players. But it is clear that Crispin Shingler is an excellent actor.
Benjamin Wilkin is mate Steve, and delivers a highlight performance as kite-flying Lee. With no help from the script, he creates a gem of emotional vulnerability by the insight of his performance.
Peter O'Toole's March 05 Radio Times interview laid into subsidised theatre - Sweetheart started at the Royal Court: 'There are always promising young actors, and today the sensible ones fuck off from what calls itself 'the theatre' as soon as they can because it's such badly done shit'. (More of the interview in The Guardian here). The acting tonight is superb, the play is awful.
Company Credits: Writer - Nick Grosso. Director - Crispin Shingler. Lighting & Sound - James Crossley. Company - H in the Title. Venue Credits: Etcetera Theatre Managers (alpha order): Zena Barrie, Michelle Flower. Thanks to: Etcetera Theatre, Oxford Arms Pub, Gigi Sutherland, Nichola Shingler, Mike & Tina Shingler, James Crossley, Glynne Steele, Simon Sutton, Kieron Kerr, Justin Stahley, Jonny McGuinness, Alexandra Barker, Rachel White, Luke Sullivan, Damian Kell, Nick Grosso.
END
John Park
reviewed Tuesday 31 May 05 / Etcetera Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
